Review of East of Eden (1955) by Daniel P — 01 Mar 2009
Great adaptation of the (second half of) the Steinbeck classic. I actually prefer the first half of the book - Adam's fall from Eden - but the second half makes for a better movie.
Very easy to see why this was James Dean's breakout movie (and only movie released before his death). He perfectly channels the angst-ridden loner character that he would perfect in Rebel Without a Cause. At times, it seems like the character of Cal was written specifically for Dean. Especially compared with insufferably boring pretty boy Aron. Marlon Brando would've been good too, but by 1955 he was a little too old for the part.
One anachronsim I noticed - in the carnival scene set in 1917-18, "Ain't She Sweet" is playing. That song wasn't written until 1927.
This review of East of Eden (1955) was written by Daniel P on 01 Mar 2009.
East of Eden has generally received very positive reviews.
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